Galion picks up fire truck

Galion Fire Chief Phil Jackson picked up the aerial ladder vehicle from a Columbus company on Friday.

“It will be placed in service next Thursday as we have some training to do on it first,” he said.

Galion Treasurer Paula Durbin signed the check for the vehicle Friday, eight days after refusing to sign the initial request saying she needed to see an ordinance approving the fire truck purchase and a fiscal officer (city auditor) certificate certifying that funds were available and appropriated for the truck.

According to city officials, the fire truck purchase was part of the city’s five-year plan devised in 2012. Council passed an ordinance in 2013 approving the purchase, appropriations were made in 2014 and the check was slated to be signed last Thursday.

During a special meeting Wednesday, Galion City Council authorized a new purchase agreement for the truck and Durbin said she would sign it since it had the information she said she needed.

Jackson said he’s planning an open house to show the truck to the community.

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Pugh is the Group Content Editor for the Galion Inquirer, Bellville Star, Morrow County Sentinel and Knox County Citizen. You can reach him at cpugh@civitasmedia.com and on Twitter at @pughcivitas.